Posted by yxibow on January 22, 2007, at 20:18:18
In reply to Increasing the Effect of Medications, posted by jealibeanz on January 22, 2007, at 15:38:01
> I've heard that certain medications prolong or increase the effectiveness of various drugs. I think that antacids (TUMS)and proton-pump inhibitors(Protonix, Prevacid)may do this since it decreases or slows the absorbtion and elimination of the other medications.
>
> Does anyone know anything about this?
>
> I'm taking Xanax and Ritalin LA. I know my doctor won't increase the Xanax, probably that Ritalin, since I'm not at max dose.
>
> I've also heard that grapefruit may work. I can't remember though. I know grapefruit interacts with a lot of drugs in a negative manner.Yes, this is (primarily) through the P450 cytochrome system, in your liver.
The grapefruit juice interaction is generally not clinically relevant unless you drink a lot of grapefruit juice or you drink it at the same time as your medication ingestion (peak). I don't think most medications would notice an occasional half slice grapefruit for breakfast.
Essentially deliberately affecting the Xanax is of course going against your doctors orders.
The clinically relevant table is at
http://medicine.iupui.edu/flockhart/clinlist.htm
Basically, a medication that is a Substrate is held in the body longer by an Inhibitor.
So if you really love grapefruit juice ... well I can't tell you to go against your doctor's orders but you get the picture. Just remember also that excess fluid intake can be fatal (e.g. those jackasses who made a Wee for a Wii contest on KDND Sacramento, and essentially committed manslaughter on a poor gal who drank a fatal amount of water.)
Its normally considered a hindrance to polypharmacy rather than an intentional playing around with cytochromes, but its your body.
-- Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:725295
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070119/msgs/725394.html